Margaret K. J. Ohara
April 14, 1928 – August 14, 2010
Place of Birth:
Honolulu, HI
Place of Death:
Rochester, NY
Residence:
Alfred, NY Age:
82 Service Event Information
Private Ceremony
Margaret K. J. Ohara
Alfred
Margaret "Maggie" Ohara of Alfred, NY, died on Saturday, 14 August 2010, while
recovering from heart surgery at Rochester General Hospital. She was born on
14 April 1928, reared and educated in Hawaii. As a young girl, she performed as
an aerial and acrobatic artist at civic organizations and a popular circus in
Hawaii as well as the USO during World War II. An accomplished swimmer and
diver, she held a Swimming National Championship which qualified her for the
Olympic Games. A major disappointment was the cancellation of the Games
because of the war.
Maggie was a certified civil service employer with positions at Pearl Harbor,
Hawaii; Veterans Administration, Internal Revenue Service, Army Signal Corp--all
in Philadelphia; and Fort Jackson, S.C. Her last employer was Alfred University
where she worked in the business office. But her main contribution is the AU
Women's Swim Team which she founded and coached successfully.
The lasting images of Maggie are a graceful dancer and a gracious hostess. She
loved dancing especially the fox trot, rumba, waltz, jitterbug--the old dances
which she felt required precision and grace. She also loved to entertain family
and friends, and this was expressed primarily through her dinners, simple and
sumptuous. Cooking was almost a passion, and her favorite Asian-Hawaiian dishes
were best realized at her annual Chinese New Year buffet supper. Many called
her "the perfect hostess" or "the best cook." Whatever, she was dearly loved by
many, and that includes her surviving family: her husband of 58 years, Dr.
David M. Ohara, Emeritus Professsor of English and Film at AU; daughter Stacey
Kiyo Ohara of Los Angeles, CA; son Darren and his wife Deb; grandson Justin; and
great granddaughters Mackenzie and Jaden.
According to Maggie's wishes, there will be neither a viewing nor a memorial
service. Instead of flowers, please donate to the Alfred Ambulance Company or
the charity of your choice.
To send a remembrance please visit www.brownandpowersfuneralhomes.com. The family is being assisted by Adam E. DuBois.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Robertson Funeral Home of Hornell.
Remembrances
Dear Dr. Ohara: I remember your wife's hospitality well, for as a student, to be invited to a professor's home for a repast such as hers...well as you can see it remains a fond memory of my years at Alfred. Thinking of you and your family during this difficult time.
Dear Dr. David:
We have wonderfully fine memories of your classes and your closely-knit family. Penny and I share your sorrow at your loss. Your wife was a warm and friendly person and she, and you, are very important parts of the mosaic of our memories of Alfred.
Please accept our condolences and cherish the memories of Maggie.
Ken ('62) and Penny (Brownell, '63) Wildman
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived. As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
Hi David,
I am sure you don't remember me. I grew up in Alfred Station and was one of the locals that skipped through the AU halls when I was just a little tike following my dad (Jack Gesner) around as he did the mail route during summer vacations. I couldn't wait to get to the busines office. Maggie, Theresa and Bob loved to pick on me and I usually left with a piece of candy...and a big smile! As I grew older I learned to dance and used to admire watching you and Maggie grace the floor at the faculty Christmas parties. Those are fond memories from home as I live in NC now and don't get back to that area very often.
I was saddened to read this news in the AU on-line magazine. Prayers are with you and your family.
David, While we have been gone from Alfred for a long time, you and Maggie are still wonderful memories of our 26 years there with you and Maggie as friends and colleagues. We still get the Sun and were saddeed to learn of Maggies passing. We wish all the best to you and your family.
Bob & Sheila
Dear David,
I send heart-felt condolences on the news of Maggie's passing. You and she defined wonderful hospitality at your lovely home. I treasure the memories of the meals at your house that you and she held for students. During my dark night of the soul, your compassion and jaunty sense of humor and Maggie's authentic listening ability were a great comfort to me all those years ago.
You will be in my thoughts and prayers at his time of grief. You have 58 years of memories and love. I wish you peace and consolation.
Yours,
Michael
Dear Oharas,
As a ceramics grad student, I always looked forward to a trip to the business office because I'd anticipate Maggie's warm greeting. She really brightened the lives of those around her.
So sorry to hear of your loss. I think of you often and remember my classes with you with great fondness.
Dr. Ohara,
My daughter just texted me the sad news of Maggie's passing. With tear filled eyes, I type you this remembrance. We knew Maggie such a short time and yet her passing evokes such a strong sadness in our family. This truly is a testament to a life well-lived. She sure was "one in a million"! Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family from all the way up here in New Hampshire.
Dear Dr. Ohara, Darren and Stacey,
I remember your wonderful family since the days of Saxon Heights; you were always so kind to the Brown girls. Like everyone else I remember Maggie's grace and beauty, and her yummy food. There was also an unforgettable luau birthday party at the Sibleys' home -- a fun and special memory. I'm so happy to have seen both Maggie and David at June Brown's memorial service this spring. Thank you for being there, and for your abiding friendship with June. With love and respect, Erica Brown Freeman
Dear Dr. Ohara, Staci, Darren, and families,
Maggie's passing is so sad. She was such an energetic, blithe, and lithe spirit. I remember a Christmas card, years ago, from David to us, where he described Maggie as pirouetting around the kitchen. What a powerful image that remains. Craig and I loved every moment we were privileged to spend with her. Her social grace, her wit, and her lovely meals are things we will always strive to send on to future generations as "the Spirit of Alfred" as exemplified by Maggie.
May your sorrow be lessened by knowing how wonderful she was to all of those around her.
With sympathy,
Becky and Craig Prophet
Dr Ohara--
I am sorry to hear about your wife. I wish you the best as you go through these tough times.
Dear Dr. Ohara It is with great fondness that I often recall the times spent with you and Mrs. Ohara. Somehow I never could quite bring myself to call her Maggie, always felt she deserved that bit of respect from me. When there were rough days during my time at Alfred, she sought me out to give a kind word or extend some encouragement that it all would work out. Of course she was right but one never thinks so at those periods when all you can see is the dark side. So it is now my turn to give you back what she so graciously gave to me. In spite of your loss, I am ever so confident that in its own way it will work out. Although it is hard to imagine after all those years that it could ever be the same. It will be different to be sure. Aside from her infectious smile, the one thing I will truly miss is her cooking! Oh how she could set a table! To a hungry college student it was paradise on earth with an Oriental motif to top it off. And how gracious of you both to invite my family to dine with you when I returned to Alfred. Angie and the boys were "wowed" with your hospitality and that is how I wish to remember her. Christopher is now a college freshman at St. Joseph College in Rensselaer, Indiana. He is majoring in Music Education and would dearly love to be a band director. Erich is a sophmore in Shelbyville High School with a flare for music as well. Angie continues to work at Knauf as Administrative Assistant to the CEO and I continue to develop glass formulations and specify glass making materials for Knauf Insulation worldwide. So see, "Maggie" was right. It did work out after all.
Sorry it has been so long since last we communicated, life gets away from you if you don't watch it. So I will attach my email address and if you should care to, return email with yours. That way I can send you some pictures of Angie and the boys as well as the bald headed old crouch (according to the boys anyway) that I supposedly have become. With my fondest wish that you know that "Maggie" will be remebered as the fine human being she was, Curtis
Curtis.Davies@US.Knaufinsulation.com
How sad to learn of Maggie's passing. Although my wife and I didn't see her (and David) often enough when on the Alfred campus, whenever we were privileged to dine at her table we were welcomed like long lost children and made to feel so special. Her charm and graciousness will be remembered, always. With sorrow and admiration,
Pam & Gene Bernstein
Dear David,
I am sorry to hear about Maggie passing on. When I saw you at Wegmans last week
I knew that things were not going well, but I was so pleased to see that your daughter
was with you and that you were able to face this loss with your whole family around you.
I have many fond memories of Maggie and my thoughts are with you now.
With affection,
Roger
My heart felt sympathies and condolences for the entire family. May you hold close the memories, that will bring you peace in the times that follow.
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